Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting. Source: Supplied
MELBOURNE'S reputation as the world's sporting capital will be confirmed today when the MCG is announced as the host of the 2015 World Cup cricket final.
The coup will see millions of dollars poured into Victoria's economy with a tourism bonanza forecast. The match is one of the sporting world's biggest drawcards.
Victoria has seen off intense competition from across Australia and New Zealand to win the final.
Every major centre campaigned hard, well aware of the huge financial benefits of hosting the final.
It will also draw a massive TV audience - a billion fans worldwide are expected to tune in when the 'G hosts the match on March 28-29, 2015.
Michael Clarke of Australia leads his team from the field. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
It hosted the final in 1992, the last time cricket's premier international tournament was played in Australasia.
Semi-finals were held in Sydney and Auckland then, and the same venues are expected to be unveiled this morning with a formal announcement at Docklands by key federal and state ministers, International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson and a host of former stars, including Test legends Dennis Lillee, Ian Chappell, Adam Gilchrist and Mike Hussey.
They will be joined by Australian one-day players George Bailey and Clint McKay as the centrepiece of the presentation. Foreign cricket aces including India's Kapil Dev and Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya will also be present.
Competition for other key matches generated strong bidding at state government level across the country, with major redevelopments in Sydney and Adelaide and the recently revamped Gabba now all capable of seating more than 40,000 fans.
Cricket crowds at the MCG. Picture: David Caird
Co-host New Zealand also put its case with Auckland's restructured Eden Park a contender.
There will be 49 matches over 44 days during February and March, with all venues and dates announced today.
With 14 teams in the event, including some of world cricket's minnows, there will also be several matches in regional centres.
Two groups of seven will ensure each team plays at least six matches in the round robin stage, with the top four in each group going through to quarter finals before semi-finals and the final.
Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh reacts after completing overs during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup match last year. The cricketer says he believes he was saved by God during recent flooding in India.
So big is the World Cup that Australia is hosting just four Test matches, against India, during the 2014-15 season to accommodate it.
This means that either Brisbane or Adelaide is likely miss out on a Test during the normal season, but all of the country's leading venues will be awarded a major World Cup fixture which will involve Australia.
The coup for Melbourne will come less than three months after AAMI Park hosts the opening ceremony and Australia's first match of soccer's Asian Cup.
The 1992 Cricket World Cup final was a spectacular event, attracting a then record one-day crowd of more than 87,000 to the MCG despite Australia's early departure from the tournament.
Ashton Agar of Australia celebrates taking a wicket. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Pakistan, led by Imran Khan, defeated England by 22 runs to win its first world crown. Australia has won a record four World Cup tournaments, but India will be the defending champion.
Cricket crowds at the MCG. Picture: David Caird
Michael Clarke of Australia is struck by a delivery. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
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